Montana State vs. Sam Houston State Prediction, Odds, Against Spread and Over/Under

Sam Houston State and Montana State face off on Saturday one of the FCS quarterfinal games this weekend.
Sam Houston State and Montana State face off on Saturday one of the FCS quarterfinal games this weekend. / Joey D. Richards/Abilene Reporter-News /
facebooktwitterreddit

The quarterfinals of the FCS Playoffs continue on Saturday with a showdown between No. 8 Montana State and No.1 Sam Houston. 

Despite being the No. 1 ranked team in the FCS with a perfect 11-0 record, the Bearkats almost took an L in the previous round of playoff action. Sam Houston needed a last-second defense stop to avoid being upset by Incarnate World. However, the reigning champions did what they needed to do and now have a tougher matchup against the eight-seeded Montana State Bobcats. 

It is worth noting that Sam Houston offensive coordinator Ryan Carty might be heading to Delaware in the offseason and could be a distraction for his squad. 

Here are the odds for this FCS quarterfinal game, courtesy of WynnBET Sportsbook.

Montana State vs. Sam Houston Spread and Over/Under

Spread:

  • Montana State: +7 (-110) 
  • Sam Houston: -7  (-110) 

Moneyline:

  • Montana State: +230
  • Sam Houston: -270

Total:

  • 48 (Over -110/Under -110)

Montana State vs. Sam Houston Prediction and Pick

Sam Houston is coming into this game with a perfect 17-0 record in home games during the FCS playoffs. Not 17-0 in their last 17 home games but 17-0 all-time. Despite this, they do have a tendency to let games get too close down the wire give bettors heart palpitations. The game against UIW is a perfect example of this. It was the fifth postseason game in a row that SHSU has won by seven points or less. 

That is troubling when you see that the spread for this game is seven points. 

Sure, the Bobcats have one of the best offenses in the FCS, ranking third with 43 points per game. But, Montana State is ranked second in that same category on defense. The Bearkats allow just 12.7 points per game and have the ability to stifle even the best of offenses. 

Based on how close I think these two teams match up and SHSU’s inability to win games by more than a TD, give me the seven points and Montana State here. 

Prediction: Montana State +7.0 (-110)